Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speech read as follows—

I rise to introduce the Defence Service Homes Amendment (Insurance) Bill 2025 (the Bill).

This Bill will formalise longstanding Commonwealth practice by providing express legislative authority for the Commonwealth to continue to provide general insurance or act as an authorised representative of a third-party insurer.

Since 1919, the Defence Service Homes (DSH) Insurance Scheme has provided financial support by way of home building insurance to Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, and eligible veterans and their families under the Defence Service Homes Act 1918 (DSH Act 1918).

To compliment the home building insurance product, since 1990, DSH Insurance has acted as a representative of a third- party commercial insurer to offer DSH Insurance 'branded' home contents, motor vehicle, caravan and motorbike insurance policies. This has generated commission income that contributes to the competitive pricing of DSH Insurance home building policies.

The Bill formalises the existing practice of the Commonwealth to enter into representative agreements with third party insurers to provide general insurance products to ADF members, eligible veterans and their families.

The Bill will retrospectively validate past activities undertaken by the DSH Insurance as an authorised representative of a third-party insurer and also authorise the Scheme to continue to carry out such activities in relation to more than 32,000 current policy holders, including granting it the authority to renew policies.

The Australian government is committed to supporting veterans and their families and DSH Insurance is just one of those supports currently available.

Full details of the measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum.

I commend the Bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.